Chapter 4
Fixing Formula Boo-Boos
In This Chapter
Preventing errors with Excel
Following the flow of cell and range references to and from formulas
Using Excel tools to uncover and correct formulas
Excel would be nothing if it didn’t allow you to create formulas. Creating formulas is, after all, the real purpose of a worksheet — to allow you to build a solution that pertains to your specific needs. Without formulas, Excel would be no more than a place to store information. Boring!
Excel allows formulas to have up to 8,192 characters in length. This means you can create some monster formulas! Formulas can reference cells that have formulas that reference other cells that have formulas that reference . . . well, you get the idea!
Ah, but this comes with a price — how can you track down errors in long formulas? How can you avoid them in the first place? In this chapter, I explain how Excel steers you away from entering problematic formulas, and how to correct completed formulas that are not working in the way you intended.
Catching Errors as You Enter Them
Excel is keeping an eye on you when you enter formulas. Don’t be worried! This is a good thing. You aren’t being graded. Excel ...
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